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“I wouldn’t mind having another one, actually,” Daphne said. “That drink is amazing. Although someone needs to cut me off if it gets to where I’m looking at that African totem pole like it’s a dance prop.”
Veronica ignored her and said, “I think we’ll just go back to Kastonia.” Her hand was already snatching her purse from the bar stool. “Coming here was a big mistake.”
“Hold on!” Daphne said. “We just traveled twelve hours to get here. There’s no way we’re turning around and heading back now. This is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for most people, and honestly, I want to explore Africa now that we’re here. Go on a game drive, have a barbecue in the bush, enjoy the sunrise hot-air balloon, maybe even get an amethyst crystal massage. We need to live a little.”
Caleb grinned. “I agree.”
Veronica hesitated, then sighed, relenting with a reluctant nod. “Fine, but that doesn’t mean we’re doing these things together. The last thing I want to do is deal with either of you. You men can stay on your side of the safari camp.”
“Sounds like a plan,” I said, deciding it was not a good time to mention that our tent suite was located right next door to theirs or that most of the guests ate together.
Daphne strode over with a broad smile, pulling me into a warm embrace. “Nice to see you, August.”
“Clearly, not everyone is as thrilled as you,” I said with a chuckle, knowing Daphne would love nothing more than to see me and Veronica back together. “Always a pleasure to see you, too.”
Not to be ignored, Caleb chimed in with his usual flair, “What about me? Did you miss me?”
Daphne rolled her eyes. Yet her smile betrayed her amusement. “It’s always a circus with you, isn’t it?”
“Consider me your ringmaster then,” Caleb quipped, winking. “I promise, I’m quite the charmer once you get past my devastating good looks and this annoying humility.”
Daphne couldn’t help but laugh. “All right, I’ll admit it’s nice to see you too, Caleb. Just as friends, though, remember? Our age gap will not change, so save your energy and find a girl your age.”
Caleb shrugged off her comment with a dismissive wave of his hand. “Age is just a number. The most important thing is chemistry, and you and I both know we could easily set the lab on fire.”
Caleb and Daphne’s playful and carefree behavior motivated me even more to get back to where I was with Veronica before I had botched things. She and I used to be that way, full of lighthearted moments that left us feeling so alive. Our relationship had been a whirlwind of fun, laughter, passion, and a connection so deep it felt unbreakable.
Until I broke it.
Caleb stepped closer to Daphne, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper. “You smell amazing, by the way.”
Daphne stepped back, smirking. “That’s the ‘eau de economy class’ from sitting next to the bathroom on a packed flight.”
I jumped into the conversation with a chuckle. “Must’ve been quite the disguise to fly under the radar like that. I can’t believe nobody recognized you.”
Veronica folded her arms, her gaze sharp. “How did you know we went incognito?”
I shrugged. “Oh, the usual spy stuff. Your driver spilled the beans.” I raised a hand to forestall her anger. “And before you scold him or try to have him fired, Caleb played the ‘royal duty’ card. Threatened to drag Queen Camille into the matter if he didn’t tell us everything he knew.”
“True—and he sang like a canary after a spring shower,” Caleb added with a grin. “Though, to be fair, you weren’t exactly whispering your plans in the car, from what he told us.”
Daphne gave a resigned nod. “Can’t really argue with that. We tend to forget our inside voices.”
As the bartender prepared our drinks, a bubbly, middle-aged couple approached us, each with a glass of wine in their hand. The woman waved, effervescent with a wide smile.
“Hello! We are Sabrina and Simon from Slovenia,” she announced, her voice lilting with a charming accent. “Looks like we have some new arrivals.”
After introductions, I gestured to Caleb. “We arrived a couple of hours ago, and these wonderful ladies just joined us moments ago.”
Veronica looked puzzled. “Wait—you got here before us? How is that possible?”
“Private jet,” Caleb answered for me, flashing a proud grin like the aircraft was his personal toy.
“If I’d known you were going to follow us, I would’ve hitched a ride,” Daphne quipped, joining in with a playful chuckle.
“Private jet?” Simon echoed, raising an eyebrow. “That certainly is impressive. What do you all do for a living?”
Sabrina gently squeezed her husband’s arm. “Some people like to keep their private lives private, dear.” She turned back toward us. “You don’t have to answer that.”
